LANSING-- A proposal to add a $1.35 monthly public safety surcharge to all wireless and land telephone accounts in the state could aid law enforcement agencies without increasing taxes, proponents say.

The House bill is one of many ideas being considered as the Legislature tries to develop a new state budget and avoid a projected $1.8 billion deficit.

The measure would authorize a charge that would appear separately on a customer’s bill.

Revenue from the surcharge would go to the Michigan Public Safety Communications System, the Forensic Science Division of the State Police and the Bureau of Fire Services, among other programs.

Some also would support crime labs in individual cities.

“This surcharge will have immense value to law enforcement and the citizens we serve,” said Gladwin Police Chief Charles Jones, a supporter of the proposal.

Backed-up cases have created longer turnaround times for polygraph tests, Jones said, citing month-long waits for testing in criminal investigations.

“The starting date to set up a polygraph test is at the end of October or the beginning of November,” he said.

Reps. George Cushingberry Jr., D-Detroit, and Matt Gillard, D-Alpena, are sponsoring the bill.

But a problem with the surcharge proposal is disagreement about where the money is needed most, said Rep. Tim Moore, R-Farwell. 

“Far too many groups are saying, ‘That’s a pot of money I could use,’” he said. 

Terrence Jungel, the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association executive director, also criticized the proposed surcharge, saying, “We’re not opposed to what’s being funded, but how.”

There is a need for increased law enforcement funding, he said. Budget cuts in Michigan have created a loss of an estimated 1,600 police officers since 2001, while at the same time crime is on the rise, Jungel added.

The Associated Press reported in June 2006 that violent crime had increased in the country for the first time since 2001. The overall increase was 2.5 percent, but the Midwest increase was 5.7 percent.

“Less cops and more cons does not a safe community make,” Jungel said.

The bill is pending in the House Appropriations Committee.